(Selva - The Trondheim fjord / 4 meters / 9.20.2006)

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Tunicata

Class: Ascidiacea

Order: Phlebobranchia

Family: Ascidiidae

Scientific name: Ascidiella scabra

 

Norwegian: -

Distribution: A. scabra is common along the Norwegian coast, as far North as Nordland. It can be found just below the tidal zone as well as on 300 meters depth. It seems to prefer current exposed locations.

Characteristics: This is a solitary sea squirt with a body diameter of less than 5 cm. The color is grey or white, often with red pigments on the inside, shining through the semitransparent body wall. The animal is attached at the base as well as along one side of the body. It often grows a large number of fibrils, giving it a hairy appearance. The fibrils seem to help the animal staying attached to algae, bryozoans or other ascidians. The two small siphons are marked with cream or red colored stripes.

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